Page 22 of Unmasking the Diamond
“As I assumed.” Wright offered the address, his tone prim. “Shall I accompany you?”
“No, that won’t be necessary.”
“Very well. Will there be anything else, my lord?”
Luca’s jaw tightened. “Not at present. And what have I told you about addressing me as ‘my lord’ while we are in the office?”
The secretary flushed. “Apologies, sir.”
Before Luca could dismiss him, a far too jovial voice rang from the doorway.
“Tell me, did you manage to convince Mr. Fairchild to join this godforsaken newssheets operation?”
Suppressing a groan, Luca looked up to see his irreverent brown-haired writer, Mr. Hillstead, leaning against the doorframe with his usual grin.
“Need I remind you that you work for this ‘godforsaken newssheets operation’?” Luca asked.
Hillstead merely shrugged. “Yes, but it is a catapult to something greater. Did you speak to him?”
“I did. He is… being difficult.” Luca chose his words carefully so as not to betray Miss Winslow’s confidences.
Hillstead dropped into a chair without waiting for an invitation. “Well, at least you tried. I suppose that’s a start.”
Wright bristled, his frown deepening. “If you wish to speak with Lord Luca, you must schedule an appointment.”
“I have a standing appointment every day at…” Hillstead produced his pocket watch and squinted. “… precisely two in the afternoon.”
“It is not on my schedule,” Wright retorted.
“Then block off every afternoon for me.” Hillstead tucked his watch away with an infuriatingly casual air.
Before Wright could reply, Luca cut in. “It’s fine. He won’t stay long.”
When Wright reluctantly departed, Luca fixed his friend with a stern look. “Why do you insist on tormenting my secretary?”
“He is too tense,” Hillstead remarked.
“He is efficient,” Luca countered. “Unlike you at present. Shouldn’t you be writing your next article?”
Hillstead waved a hand. “I will. I’m waiting on a lead.”
“So you decided to bother me instead.”
“I was hoping to convince you to come have a drink with me.”
“I’m busy.”
“You’re always busy. One drink won’t kill you.”
“With you, it is never one drink.”
Hillstead laughed. “Guilty. But you’ve never complained before.”
Luca leaned back, folding his arms. “I am working on something important.”
“You’re alwaysworking on something.”
“This is about The Chelmsford Asylum.”
